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Indoor Services June 3 June 10June 24 July 8 July 22 August 5 August 19

Outdoor ServicesJune 17 July 1 July 15 July 29 August 12 August 26

​Summer FellowshipNew! On the patio after 9:00 AM worship Please, join us for refreshments and conversation. As we move from two services to one for the summer months, this a great opportunity to meet those who usually attend a different service.

Our Neighbor’s FaithPastor Ken is extending this class due to strong interest. Join him in the sanctuary following Fellowship Time.

Sky Sox Baseball Tuesday, June 19$2.00 Tuesdays at the Sky Sox Game! Join us at 6:00 PM, as the Colorado Springs Sky Sox take on the Salt Lake Bees. $2.00 per ticket and $2.00 parking. If you are able, come early and tailgate together before the game.

Vacation Bible School June 25-29Parents sign up your kids. Bring a neighbor or friend.Middle-HS youth, sign-up to help. Plan on meeting with our Rainbow Trail counselors in the evening. Adults, we’d love you to help. Contact Lisa. Don’t miss this great event. Remember it’s free!

MOM's Group*New Name* - Our Mom’s Group will be meeting June 8 and June 22 at 10:00 AMContact: Misty Hopp for more information.

Senior LuncheonThursday, June 21 at 11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall!

​Senior SocialJune 27, July 25, Aug. 22 at 1:00 PMJoin us for our monthly get together to socialize, play dominoes, or do crafts. There is no obligation to participate in the games. Individuals bring their own crafts to work on. Others use the opportunity to just sit and talk. Light snacks are provided.

Travel GroupThursday, June 14 - Outing to THE CLIVE CUSSLER CAR MUSEUM. Meet at the Monument Park & Ride at 9:30 AMSaturday, June 30 - Potluck Gathering hosted by Duane and Kathy Steinke at 4:00 PM. Contact Donna Ewers if interested in going to these events!

Fight Fraud-Shred Instead Saturday, June 2 from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM in the church parking lot. Three boxes or paper bags will be accepted per car. Donations accepted for Black Forest Cares.

Didi Panzo Update from the Democratic Republic of CongoFarming is important in the Congo because many people are hungry and crops provide food as well as a means of earning a livelihood. About 5 years ago, some farmers planted orange trees, perhaps provided by an aid organization. They have been tending the trees all this time and it sounds like they are starting to harvest the oranges for the first time. This is a new feed type for Boma and it might lead to more people planting such trees. Even people who are not farmers might plant a tree or two as a means of helping their family.

At this time of the year, other crops such as yams (sweet potatoes), beans, corn, and rice are also being harvested. Further cassava is harvested at this time of year. Cassava is the starchy root crop of a bush and is commonly eaten in both South America and Africa. It must be carefully prepared to be safe to eat. Americans eat Cassava as tapioca, commonly as a pudding. Didi does not often get to see the farmers at work as their fields are a long, roadless way from Boma.

Rebecca is continuing to recover. She will never be strong enough to be a farmer, as most of the work is done by hand, but she is searching for a marketable skill to learn.

Save the DateAnnual Church Picnic - August 26 after the Outdoor Service

$2.00 Tuesdays at the Sky Sox Game! Join us at 6:00 PM, June 19 as the Colorado Springs Sky Sox take on the Salt Lake Bees. $2.00 per ticket and $2.00 parking. If you are able, come early and tailgate together before the game.

B-I-N-G-O and Dessert

​ Are your weekends packed with yard work and other activities? B-I-N-G-O. We are having a mid-week ‘BINGO and dessert break’ on Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30 PM. Bring a dessert to share and prizes will be given out!

Outdoor Friday Night at the Movies:August 3

‘I Can Only Imagine.’ Let’s experience an outdoor movie together at BFLC. Bring a blanket and a friend as we watch this movie about Bart Millard, the lead singer of the Christian Band, MercyMe.

Vacation Bible School/ Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp June 25-29 9:00 AM - 12:15 PMKindergarten - 6th grade (grade refers to the grade they will be entering this fall) Cost: FreeRegistration has begun. VBS is always an outreach to our children as well as the children in the community. It provides a great venue for introducing children to Jesus and growing them in their relationships. Again, this year we are offering it free in the hopes that we can reach more children and families. We do need adults and teens to assist the Rainbow Trail counselors in running this program. Contact the office if you would like to be a part of this amazing outreach ministry. We are also looking for a Craft Coordinator and Snack Coordinator for the week. If you are interested please let Lisa know in church office.

MS/HS Day Camp Week of June 24 - June 27Sunday, June 24 - Potluck at 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. We will also be starting our camp for MS/HS this night!Monday - Friday Volunteer from 8:45 AM to 12:15 PM.Sunday - Wednesday nights6:15 PM Gather/Mingle6:20 Active Games6:50 Snack/Drink/Break7:00 Bible Study8:00 Campfire/Small Group/Devo./Music8:30 DismissThursday 6:00 PM - Program and Ice Cream Social

Cameron Regennitter will be High Ropes Coordinator at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp this summer.​RTLC is asking for prayers, supporting letters, and care packages for our young folk.You can send the above to:Attn: Cam Regennitter Camp OfficePO Box T Hillside, CO 81232RTLC is a great opportunity for our children to grow spiritually and grow into future leaders.

Lemonade/Gingersnap SundaySunday, August 12​The Social Ministry Committee will host its annual Lemonade and Gingersnap Sunday following outdoor worship on Sunday, August 12. This is a fundraiser to enhance the yearly financial gift BFLC gives to our Mission Partner - Cristo Rey in El Paso, TX.

The gingersnaps made by members of the Committee are homemade and melt in your mouth! The lemonade will be icy cold. Please join us!

Lutheran Family Services 2018 School Supply Drive We don’t need backpacks – only school supplies. There is no list of specific items yet, but we can assume the standard supplies for elementary and middle schools. You may also donate small ($10 - $25) gift cards to help the kids purchase new shoes/clothes for school (Target, Wal Mart etc.). People can drop off their donations in the Fellowship Hall and put in grey cart, marked LFS-School Supplies. The drive will end Sunday, July 22. Contact Susan Harrison for any questions.

July is Birthday MonthOn Sunday, July 1 we celebrate the birthday of our nation and the birthdays of BFLC members with a birthday cake. We are asking you to give a gift-coin for every birthday you have celebrated. The coins collected that day will be give to the Fischer House Foundation. A container for your coins will be on the table, so don’t put your birthday offering in the offering plate. Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.

Outreach UgandaThank you to all who participated in the Outreach Uganda and LWR Equal Exchange Fair Trade sale on May 6. Your support of these organizations is invaluable and truly makes a difference. Enjoy the products you purchased!

Social Ministries This month, the Social Ministries Committee is highlighting two local, faith-based non-profits: RESTORE INNOCENCE and SECOND CHANCE THROUGH FAITH. Each year, your Social Ministry committee donates money from our congregation to both of them.

RESTORE INNOCENCE “exists to aid victims of human trafficking in the rescue, restoration and reintegration process by addressing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.” They work with young women in the Colorado Springs area to provide holistic aftercare in the wake of trafficking. In the past seven years they have mentored nearly 40 young women in transformational relationships, and have provided many “Restoration Bags” for victims – often handed out by law enforcement. For more information, see: https://www.restoreinnocence.org

SECOND CHANCE THROUGH FAITH is “committed to reaching at-risk youths with the Gospel of Jesus Christ to strengthen and redirect their paths.” This gang intervention ministry provides a “second chance to youth and young adults in the prevention, intervention, and suppression of gang involvement and juvenile delinquency through Faith in El Paso County.” The ministry was founded by a married couple who escaped the gang lifestyle. Read the amazing testimonials at: http://sctfgroup.org/index.html

Migrant Bag UpdateThanks to all who brought items last month. Our need continues all year for personal items like razors, shaving cream, tooth paste and brushes, towels, wash cloths, shampoo, sanitary items, etc. If you can help, please place items in the laundry cart in the fellowship hall. Be sure to mark your items “migrant bags”.

Summer Help!It’s almost summer, which means kids are out of school and looking for things to do. Right? If you would like to hire some of BFLC’s youth to help with yard work, babysitting, petsitting, or other odd jobs let the office know and we will connect you with a member of our youth who can help you out. Let’s support one another and our community.

New Youth and Family Ministry Director After our Mutual Ministry Committee’s 6 month search the BFLC Church Council hired Jeremy Ryan as the new permanent Youth and Family Ministry Director.

Jeremy is a native of Colorado who spent 6 years in California working in youth ministry. First with Young Life, then in 2 congregations as youth director. Moving back to Colorado, he has been a High School Special Education teacher for the past 2 years in Longmont.

Jeremy and his wife Dasia have a 4 year old son Ronin. They love to hike and travel. Jeremy’s other interests also include family, Bible, comics, and playing video games with Ronin.

Jeremy is 33. He graduated from CU Boulder with a BA in Journalism and a minor in Religious Studies. In California, he received his MA in Biblical Studies at Fuller Seminary.

Jeremy will be finishing up his teaching responsibilities in late June, but will be coming to BFLC 2 days/week during VBS, June 25-26, and in early July. He will officially start at BFLC mid-July.

Sundays in May 20 - New Member Reception/Pentecost - Wear red20 - Last Sunday School session until the fall! Thank you to all teachers, parents, mentors and prayer warriors!27 - Last 2 Service Sunday until September

What the BFLC BOOK GROUP is READING FOR MAYThe Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton Join us at the church for discussion on Wednesday, May 16 at 1:00 PM

Senior SocialMay 23, June 27, July 25, Aug. 22 at 1:00 PMJoin us for our monthly get-together to socialize, play dominoes, or do crafts. There is no obligation to participate in the games. Individuals bring their own crafts to work on. Others use the opportunity to just sit and talk. Light snacks are provided.

Our Mom’s Group will be meeting at 9:00 AM on May 25, June 8, June 22

​Outdoor FellowshipSomething new! Look for Outdoor Fellowship on the patio beginning June 10 after worship. Please, join us for refreshments and conversation. As we move from two services to one for the summer months, this a great opportunity to meet those who usually attend a different service.

Senior Luncheon Thursday, June 21 at 11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall!

News from Didi PanzoAngola is the homeland of Didi and Serafina. There has been a change in government for the first time in 38 years. It is too early to tell if the new leader will be better, but there have been a few good signs. Pray for the people of Angola and for Didi’s family.

Didi and Serafina are planning on coming to the US for a good part of June, to visit their children. BFLC has some shirts for Didi to take back for the orphans. There will be an opportunity to contribute to the baggage fees to take them back to Boma and the children in need. Currency in the DRC is in disarray. In addition to local currency, Angolan and American money is used. As you can imagine many purchases, like the doctor for Rebecca, are in US dollars. The ATM, where Didi receives money for his mission, dispenses only dollars. He needs to exchange it for local currency to purchase food and other items. The ATM costs US$7 for $500 dispensed. Rebecca is continuing to heal, but she has some smaller tumors that will be removed.

Supporting Didi PanzoThank you for last year’s donations of shirts and shoes for Didi’s orphans. In May, we will be accepting financial contributions for Didi and Serafina. There are three targeted needs we’re focusing on for this collection:

First, Didi continues to provide small meals to the orphans who visit him, although they often have little extra food to provide.

Second, the farmers in the local town, Boma, have been successful with their gardens and are in need of additional seeds and supplies for this year.

Third, the local Lutheran church lost its roof during a recent, powerful windstorm. Other churches are collecting contributions to help with repairs, and we will add to that.

Your donations will help Didi and Serafina conduct their “mission work.” Contributions can be mailed to the church or dropped in the offering plates. Just indicate “Didi Mission” on your donations.Thankfully, Ed Storey and Dave Reily

Cystic Fibrosis 5kSaturday May 19 at 9:00 AM for Amanda Ragsdale! Greater Strides! Walk, run, or cheer us on at America the Beautiful Park! Sign up is up! Come support, learn, and walk with us as we support God's healing power in our community!

New PianoWhere did the “new” piano in the sanctuary come from? Actually, it was made in Boston in 1916 and spent the last couple of decades wasting away in a garage. A member of our congregation, Jim Fariss, used this to learn piano rebuilding. This was a project spanning nearly two years that included refinishing the case, repair of cracked soundboard, new parts such as hammers and keytops, and regulating the action to play correctly to name just some of the work done. With the color and size just right for the location, it seems as if the piano has always been there. Thank you Jim for your great work and generosity. Pictures are up in the Fellowship Hall.

Travel Group Saturday, May 19 at 2:00 PMGroup gathering is being hosted by George & Chris Cooper

VBS is always an outreach to our children as well as the children in the community. It provides a great venue for introducing children to Jesus and growing them in their relationships. Again, this year we are offering it free in the hopes that we can reach more children and families.

We do need adults and teens to assist the Rainbow Trail counselors in running this program. Contact the office if you would like to be a part of this amazing outreach ministry. We are also looking for a Craft Coordinator and Camp Coordinator to keep daily activities on schedule during the week.

Fight Fraud - Shred Instead Saturday, June 2 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the church parking lotThree boxes or paper bags will be accepted per car. Donations accepted for Black Forest Cares. They need volunteers, please let Stan Beckner if you are able to help out.

Congratulations to our Graduates! High School

Kiara Bohn

Ellie Bush

Jacob Cook

Felicity Corpus

Griffin Fitzpatrick

Graham Gaston

Cory Gurnett

Kyle Harris

Cody Hoffman

Joshua Kleine

Zachary Kvale

William McGlothlin

Justin Olson

Meghan Seebach

Kori Woods

College

Hannah Cavanaugh

Linda Robinson

Amelia Falldorf

Ashlyn Klein

Lauren Kleine

Kenna Poss

Cameron Regennitter

SQUEAK SHEETNotice something around the church that needs attention? Perhaps a light bulb is out or a door doesn't shut properly. Take a moment to fill out a "squeak sheet" in the office and let us know. This helps our property committee to identify and address issues so that our church can be as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside.

Special Study Group - First Quarterly Report I am pleased to say in this first quarterly report for the Special Study Group that the group is making progress. During March the group spent two and half weeks calling families and members of the congregation, interviewing them about their likes and concerns for the church. What we learned was that most people chose BFLC for one or more of four reasons: location, pastor, friends/family and the traditional services. Members continue to attend because of their close relationships with other people in the congregation and the pastor, and because they are also well pleased with the worship services. There were some comments about the need to improve in areas of youth education, needing to consider adding another pastor and the need for more young people in the church. The survey was a good opportunity for the members of the special study group to learn the strengths and challenges of our church.

The group has taken what was learned from our discussions with members and begun to “brain storm” ideas to resolve concerns and issues. It is the intention of the group to take these ideas and discuss them with the appropriate committees within the church, as well as with outside sources when available. Once that is done, by hopefully mid-summer, it is our intention to transform those ideas into recommendations that we will first brief to the council and then to the congregation.

The self-evaluation that the church did through our March survey was not easy for those that were making the calls and analyzing the data. I suspect that determining appropriate paths to recommend for the church as a result of this study will be just as hard, if not even more daunting. We ask for continuing prayers of support from the congregation.

Respectfully Submitted,Steve Lord

Special ThanksDear BFLC,I’m writing to thank you for your support and to share a story your generosity has made possible. Cornelia’s young son is afflicted with cystic fibrosis and needs an oxygen generator to stay alive and healthy. When their family could not pay their utility bill, the pending loss of electricity escalated into a serious crisis. For LaPuente’s Outreach Program, the timing couldn’t have been worse, as all of their resources for helping with utilities had been spent. The story about Cornelia’s family’s need was shared throughout the community of La Puente. Before the crisis could escalate, a donation emerged like a miracle and soon they were caught up with their bill. Instead of facing eviction and having to navigate a potential medical crisis, this mother and son can now move forward, knowing they belong to a caring community that is there to support them in times of crisis.

Blessings,La Puente Home

Youth Summer JobsIt’s almost summer, which means kids are out of school and looking for things to do. Right? If you would like to hire some of BFLC’s youth to help with yard work, baby-sitting, pet-sitting, or other odd jobs let the office know and we will connect you with a member of our youth who can help you out. Let’s support one another and our community.

Starting May 18 the office will be closing at noon on Friday’s through August.